He pledged that WikiLeaks will continue distributing material about the activities of the CIA in the United States and will “accelerate” its publications.

“The claim that the UK has the right to arrest me for seeking asylum in a case where there have been no charges is simply untenable.

“My legal staff have contacted the UK authorities and we hope to engage in a dialogue about what is the best way forward.”

(Yui Mok/PA)

Mr Assange said the UK had refused to confirm or deny whether there is a warrant from the US for his extradition, insisting he was happy to talk to the US Justice Department.

He returned into the building which has been his home for almost five years, without answering questions.

The Ecuadorian government is to step up efforts to allow Mr Assange to continue his asylum in its country after Sweden’s Director of Public Prosecutions Marianne Ny said she had decided to “discontinue” her investigation.

Scotland Yard said it was obliged to execute a warrant issued by Westminster Magistrates’ Court for the arrest of Mr Assange following his failure to surrender to the court in June 2012, should he leave the embassy.